OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A crash on Florida's Turnpike in Central Florida on Sunday night killed five people, including at least three from Fort Pierce, and injured several others.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred at about 7:38 p.m. in Osceola County.
The crash report said a 2004 Ford E-350 van was traveling northbound on the Turnpike at mile marker 211.
FHP said the driver, identified as a 66-year-old man from Fort Pierce, lost control of the van "due to a possible tire malfunction."
This caused the vehicle to overturn several times and run off the road, striking a guardrail and overturning into the ditch.
The driver was taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Four passengers in the van were taken by helicopter to Osceola Regional Medical Center in Kissimmee. Two other passengers were taken by helicopter to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne.
FHP said five passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Those who were killed are:
- 29-year-old man from Fort Pierce
- 54-year-old man from Fort Pierce
- 73-year-old woman from Fort Pierce
- Two other women whose ages and hometowns have not been released
Those who were hurt are the following:
- 66-year-old man (driver) from Fort Pierce with serious injuries
- 54-year-old man from Fort Pierce with serious injuries
- 75-year-old man from Fort Pierce with critical injuries
- 46-year-old man from Pompano Beach with serious injuries
- 53-year-old man from Fort Pierce with critical injuries
- 52-year-old woman from Port St. Lucie with critical injuries
- 58-year-old woman from West Palm Beach with critical injuries
The names of the victims have not been released.
The FHP said the crash remains under investigation.
